8.Cost and benefits of RCD virus introduction
| The cost benefit analysis in the Application is based on a report by Brown Copeland & Co Ltd who in their conclusion emphasise that: | |
| .....the information provided is only preliminary and at best, only indicative of the magnitude of the likely costs and benefits. Not only has the proposed release strategy not yet finalised, but the relationship between RCD and the dynamics of the rabbit population spatially and over time is very uncertain. Second order effects, for instance predator-prey relationships, are also not researched. In addition, primary data collection, which has not been possible within the scope of this contract, would be necessary to firm up on some of the parameter estimates. It is therefore recommended that once the results of ongoing technical research relating to RCD is completed, this economic analysis be updated to better reflect latest available information. | |
| Subject to these provisos, it is concluded that here is a considerable financial benefit to landholders in the semi-arid high country of the South Island for the introduction RCD compared with the situation likely to prevail with the continued use of conventional control technologies, but nationally the net financial benefits are probably not significant. However, from an environmental perspective the introduction of RCD has the potential to reduce degradation across large areas of the South Island hill and high country, with positive impacts on conservation values. From an international trade perspective also, the fact that RCD will result in reduced use of 1080 and other poisons is positive, but these advantages need to be balanced against the negative public perspective that exists about the risks associated with the introduction of biocontrol viruses into New Zealand. | |
The analysis of submissions showed that there were many general statements by supporters about the benefits of RCD, that it would save farmers and the economy many millions of dollars, and bring substantial benefits to farm families, the rural community and the environment, and that these have been understated in the Application.
On the other hand, there was also concern amongst those in opposition that many cost factors that have been understated.
The analysis of submissions showed a number of benefits (mainly by supporters) that might be included in any analysis:
- reduced expenditure on rabbit control,
- more attention to predator control,
- reduced bovine Tb (through reduced predators),
- increased stocking rates and farm productivity,
- increased farm expenditure on productive activities such as pasture development, fertiliser and subdivision, and weed control,
- increased opportunities for specialist crops,
- reduced risks to forestry plantings,
- reduced farm workloads, particularly at night,
- reduced family stress,
- reduced risks from firearm use,
- improved farm finances, debt reduction and easier budgeting,
- flow-on economic benefits to rural communities,
- reduced demand for taxpayer input to provide pest control and sustainable soil and water management,
- increased conservation values and
- reduced land, soil and water degradation with more sustainable land management.
Possible costs are also indicated (mainly by opponents) and these include:
- costs associated with preparation and distribution of the virus,
- administration of a release programme,
- training of staff for various roles in the programme,
- an increase in woody weed control and of consequent burn offs and chemical spraying,
- loss of the feral meat processing industry,
- reduced carrot production for aerial poisoning,
- ongoing costs of secondary control,
- effects on endangered and other species through prey switching,
- increased costs of predator control,
- establishment of base-line data before release,
- monitoring the distribution of RCD and the effectiveness of the programme,
- monitoring for infection in non-target species and humans,
- costs of mitigation for harm to non-target and people,
- protection of non-target rabbits including vaccination programmes.
| The New Zealand Conservation Authority has substantive concerns with the proposal to release RCD: | |
| "The benefits are well covered in the Application, the potential costs are not. These costs include both environmental impacts and monetary costs which will be incurred in programmes of monitoring, predator and weed control, research etc. To make a decision on an irreversible action such as this, the decision maker needs to be able to balance the costs and benefits of the proposal over both the short and long term. The document does not provide the balanced consideration of the costs and benefits which is essential for the consideration of the introduction of RCD. Consequently the Authority does not consider that the Application provides the decision maker with adequate information on the possible costs of the release of RCD to enable them to make an informed decision on the proposal at this time." | |
| It is argued by a number of submitters in opposition that the Application has no cost-benefit analysis and that this should be undertaken. They claim that: | |
| "no comprehensive, rational and substantiated costing of the problem is provided." (400) | |
| "The decision on the release of RCD should only be made with the benefit of a clear and full understanding of the both the costs and benefits of the introduction." (767) | |
A full cost benefit analysis would need to take account of both quantitative and qualitative information, and also an assessment of risks, including direct and indirect effects. It is argued that the analysis should look at the allocation of benefits and costs by sectors of society, and over time (a short term benefit for few for the long term cost of many). It may need to take both a national and various regional perspectives.
In view of the concerns raised by reviewers MAF commissioned a revision of the cost-benefit analysis by Brown Copeland and Co Ltd and this is appended in Appendix 1. No new data or factors have been presented which fundamentally alter the conclusions reached previously but the report better differentiates the "biological control" and "biocide" options.
However, it is very difficult to quantify all of the benefits and costs. Many of the perceived environmental and social benefits associated with RCD are not quantifiable.
8.2 Liability of the Crown
A number of submitters point out that there is no clarification of the Crown’s liability, in particular for long term risks.
It is unlikely that the Crown would be liable for damage arising from a decision to introduce, or not to introduce RCD, provided that the decision-maker makes a considered decision based on the best available information.
If the RCD virus is introduced and some problem arises in the future the virus may be declared an unwanted organism and the provisions of the Biosecurity Act would apply.
Conclusion
I consider that the major beneficiary of effective biological control of the rabbit would be New Zealand "incorporated". The primary benefit would be for the preservation of New Zealand’s ecosystem and conservation values and not to individual farming businesses.
An RCD virus introduction would also result in significant costs. Exactly who would be expected to meet these costs should be agreed before the virus was imported.
References cited in the report
(Number) e.g. (477). This refers to the submitter’s number assigned during the public consultation process.
Allen, J., Buxton, P. P., Hewitt, A. E., Hunter, G. G. 1995. Effects of rabbits and hares on organisms, ecosystems and soils in terms of the Biosecurity Act. Landcare Research Contract Report: LC 9495/074.
Application. 1996. Import Impact Assessment and Application to the Director General of Agriculture to approve the importation of Rabbit Calicivirus under the Animals Act 1967 and to issue and Import Health Standard under the Biosecurity Act 1993. RCD Applicant Group, 27 June 1996.
Barlow, N. D. 1996. Modelling RCD in rabbits. Unpublished report to MAF Policy.
Blancou, 1991. Revue Scientifique et Technique. Office International Des Epizooties. 10 (2): 265-266.
Boag, B. Dr. Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. United Kingdom. Reviewer.
Boga, J. A., Casais, R., Marin, M. S., Martin-Alonso, J. M., Carmenes, R. S., Prieto, M. and Parra, F. 1994. Molecular cloning, sequencing and expression in Escherichia coli of the capsid protein gene from rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus ( Spanish isolate AST/89) Journal of General Virology, 75: 2409-2413.
Brown Copeland & Co Ltd. 1996. Cost benefits analysis of the introduction of rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) into New Zealand: a preliminary analysis. A report for the Ministry of Agriculture.
BRS, 1966. Rabbit calicivirus disease. A report under the Biological Control Act 1984. Bureau of Resource Sciences. Australia.
Buddle, B. M., de Lisle, G. W., McColl, K., Collins, B. J., Morrisy, C. and Westbury, H. A. 1997. Response of the North Island brown kiwi, Apteryx australis mantelli and the lesser short-tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata to a measured dose of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 45: 109-113.
Burke, D. S. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Rockville, Maryland, United States of America. Reviewer.
Cancellotti, F. M. and Renzi, M. 1991. Epidemiology and current situation of viral haemorrhagic disease or rabbits and European brown hare syndrome in Italy. Revue Scientifique et Technique. Office International Des Epizooties. 10 (2): 409-422.
Capucci. Dr Lorenzo Capucci, Department of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia E Dell’Emilia, Brescia, Italy.
Capucci, L., Fusi, P., Lavazza, A., Pacciarini, M. L. and Rossi, C. 1996. Detection and preliminary characterization of a new rabbit calicivirus related to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus but nonpathogenic. Journal of Virology, Dec. 8614-8623.
Capucci, L., Frigoli, G., Ronshold, L., Lavazza, A., Brocchi, E. and Rossi, C. 1995. Antigenicity of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus studied by its reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. Virus Research. 37: 221-238
Chasey, D and Trout, R. C. Reference date unknown. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease in Great Britain. Appendix a of the Application.
Collins, B. J., White, J. R., Lenghaus, C., Morrisy, C. J. and Westbury, H. A. 1996. Prevalence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus antigen in rabbit tissues as revealed by a monoclonal antibody dependent capture ELISA. Accepted for publication in Journal of Virological Methods.
Cooke, B. D. 1996. Analysis of the spread of rabbit calicivirus from Wardang Island through mainland Australia. A report prepared for the Meat Research Corporation, October 1996, as part of Project CS. 236. "Field evaluation of RCD under Quarantine"
Crosby, T. K. and McLennan, J. 1996. Potential vectors of rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) in New Zealand: a review. Landcare Research contract report LC9596/072 for MAF Policy, Wellington.
CSIRO-1 report, 1996. Field evaluation of rabbit calicivirus disease under quarantine. Project CS.236.
Cubitt. Dr D. Cubitt, Consultant Clinical Virologist, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Trust, London. United Kingdom.
DoC. Department of Conservation. P. O. Box 10-420, Wellington. Reviewer.
Domingo. Professor Esteban Domingo, Professor of Research, Spanish Research Council, Centro de Bioligia Molecular "Severo Ochoa" Madrid, Spain. Submission 673.
Ecosystems Consultants. H. Moller, K. Brown, & N. Alterio. P.O. Box 6161. Dunedin. Reviewer.
Fordham, R. A. Associate Professor in Ecology, Massey University. Reviewer.
Fuller, H. E., Chasey, D., Lucas, M. H., Gibbens, J. C. 1993. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease in the United Kingdom. The Veterinary Record, 18 (25): 611-613.
Gibb, John A. and Williams, J. Morgan. 1994. The rabbit in New Zealand. A chapter in the book, "The European Rabbit. The history and biology of a successful colonizer." Edited by Harry V. Thompson and Carolyn M. King. Oxford University Press.
Gregg, D. Dr. D. Gregg, Plum Island Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, USA.
Gregg, D. A. and House, C. 1989. Necrotic hepatitis of rabbits in Mexico: a parvovirus. The Veterinary Record. 125: 603-604.
Gregg, D. A., House, C., Meyer, R. and Berninger, M. Viral haemorrhagic disease of rabbits in Mexico: epidemiology and viral characterisation. Revue Scientifique et Technique. Office International Des Epizooties. 10 (2): 435-451.
Ji, C-Y., Du, N-X and Xu, W-Y. 1991. Adaptation of the viral haemorrhagic disease virus of rabbits to the DJRK strain. Revue Scientifique et Technique. Office International Des Epizooties. 10 (2): 337-345.
Leighton, F. A., Artois, M., Capucci, L., Gavier-Widen Mõrner, D., Morisse, J. P. 1995. Antibody response to rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease virus in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) consuming livers of infected rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 31, 541-544.
Lektos Consulting Limited, Palmerston North. Reviewer.
Lenghaus, C., Collins, B. J., Ratnamohan, N., and Morrisy, C. 1995. Investigation of new rabbit calicivirus for biological control of wild rabbits in Australia. Proceedings of the 10th Australian Vertebrate Pest Control Conference. 378-380.
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute. Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 2QH. United kingdom. Reviewer.
MAF. Ministry of Agriculture. Box 2526, Wellington.
Meyers, G., Wirblich, C. and Thiel, H. J. 1991. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus -molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing of a calicivirus genome. Journal of Virology. 184: 664-676.
Ministry of Health. P.O. Box 5013, Wellington. Reviewer.
Ministry for the Environment. P. O. Box 10362, Wellington. Reviewer.
Morrise, J-P., Le Gall, G. and Boilletot, E. 1991. Hepatitis of viral origin in Leporidae: introduction and aetiological hypotheses. Revue Scientifique et Technique. Office International Des Epizooties. 10 (2): 283-295.
Nagesha, H. S., Wang, L. F., Hyatt, A. D., Morrissy, C. J., Lenghaus, C., and Westbury, H. A. 1995. Self-assembly, antigenicity and immunogenicity of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (Czechoslovakian strain V-351) capsid protein expressed in baculovirus. Archives of Virology 140: 1095-1108
Newsome, A. and Mutze, G. 1995. Report on RCD outbreaks in the Yunta and Blinman regions of South Australia.
Norbury, D. 1996. The effects of rabbits on conservation values. Draft report for Department of Conservation.
Norbury, G. 1996. Australia and New Zealand rabbit calicivirus disease program monitoring and surveillance. Report from a workshop held in Melbourne, 10 - 11 October, 1996.
Norbury, G and Murphy, E. 1996. Understanding the implications of rabbit calicivirus disease for predator-prey interactions in New Zealand: a review. Landcare Research Contract Report: LC9596/61.
Nowotny, N., Bascunana, C. Ros., Ballagi-Pordany, A., Gavier-Widen, D., Uhlen, M. and Belak, S. 1997. Phylogenic analysis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease and European brown hare syndrome viruses by comparison of sequences from the capsid protein gene. Archives of Virology. 142: 657-673.
Parkes, J. P. 1995. Rabbits as pests in New Zealand: a summary of the issues and critical information. Unpublished Landcare Research Contract Report (LC9495/141). 39 pp.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. 1994. Conclusion 12 from Opossum management in New Zealand.
Parra. Professor Fransisco Parra, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Aviate, Spain. Submission 673.
Ragg, J .R., Moller, H. and Waldrup, K. A. 1995a. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) infections in feral populations of cats (Felis catus), ferrets (Mustela furo) and stoats (Mustela erminea) in Otago and Southland, New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 43: 333-337.
Ragg, J. R., Waldrup, K. A. and Moller, H. 1995b. The distribution of gross lesions of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis in feral ferrets from Otago, New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 43: 338-341.
Ragg, J. R., Moller, H., Waldrup, K. A. and Mackintosh, C. M. 1995c. Ferrets (Mustela furo) and bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis); the need for a multi-species approach. In: F. Griffin and G. M. de Lisle, (eds.), Tuberculosis in Wildlife and Domestic Animals. Otago Conference Series No. 3, University of Otago Press, Dunedin. pp. 290-293.
RCD Applicant Group. Is comprised of organisations with broad interests and responsibilities in the sustainable management of New Zealand’s natural and productive ecosystems. The members of the RCD Applicant Group are Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, Otago and Southland Regional Councils, Marlborough District Council, The Commissioner of Crown Lands and New Zealand Federated Farmers (Inc).
Response to review reports. The RCD Applicant Group.
Part one: Response to review reports from the RCD Applicant Group, 9 May 1997.
Part two: An overview from the RCD Applicant Group, 19 May 1997.
Rodak, L., Smid, B., Valicek, L., Vesely, T., Stepanek, J., Hampl, J. and Jurak, E. 1990. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of antibodies to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus and determination of its major structural proteins. Journal of General Virology 71: 1075-1080.
Rodak, L., Smid, B. and Valicek, L. 1991. Application of control measures against viral haemorrhagic disease of rabbits in the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. Revue Scientifique et Technique Office International des Epizooties 10: 513-524.
Ross, J. & Trout, R. 1993. (Magazine article) Copy in Appendix A of Application.
Salman, M. D. Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology, Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Animal Disease Surveillance Systems. Colorado State University. College of Vet. Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Ft. Collins, CO 80523-1676. Reviewer.
Shope, R. E. Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch. 301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555-0609, United States of America. Reviewer.
Simon, M. del C., Mugunza, R., Alonso, J. L., Muzquiz, J. L., Girones, O., Haffar, A. 1994. Recherche du virus de la maladie hemorrhagique virale du lapin (RHD) chez le renard et role des canides domestiques dans la transmission de la maladie. Recueil de Medecine Veterinaire 170, 841-845. Cited in BRS.
Smid, B., Valicek, L., Stepanek, J., Jurak, E. and Rodak, L. 1991. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: an investigation of some properties of the virus and evaluation of an inactivated vaccine. Veterinary Microbiology 26: 77-85.
Smith Professor A. Smith, Head, Laboratory for Calicivirus Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Oregon, United States of America. Submission 673.
Steinhauer, D. A. and Holland, J. J. 1987. Rapid evolution of RNA viruses. Annual Review of Microbiology. 41: 409-433.
Sumption, K. J. and Flowerdew, J. R. 1985. The ecological effects of the decline in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) due to myxomatosis. Mammal Review 15: 151-186.
Taylor Baines and Associates. 1996a. Rabbit and Land Management Programme, end of programme assessment. Prepared on contract to Landcare Research.
Taylor Baines and Associates. 1996b. Analysis of submissions on the imporation impact assessment for the RCD virus. A report by Talyor Baines & Associates, prepared for the Chief Veterinary Officer, MAF. December, 1996.
Te Puni Kokiri. Ministry of Maori Development. P. O. Box 3945, Wellington. Reviewer.
Turner, B. High country, four seasons. Gordon Roberts & Brian Turner. Millwood Press.
Villafuerte, R., Calvete, C., Blanco, J-C. and Lucientes, J. 1995. Incidence of viral haemorrhagic disease in wild rabbit populations in Spain. Mammalia 59: 651-659.
Wardhaugh, K. and Rochester, W. 1996. Wardang Island. A retrospective analysis of weather conditions in respect to insect displacement. CSIRO Report to MRC. Cited by Cooke, B. D. 1996.
Walker, R., Reid, B. T. and Crews, K. B. 1993. Bovine Tuberculosis in predators in the Mackenzie Basin. Surveillance 20: 11-14.
Wright, D. E. 1996. Report on a New Zealand science strategy for rabbit calicivirus disease. An independent commissioned report to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Xu, Z. J., and Chen, W. X. 1989. Viral haemorrhagic disease in rabbits. Veterinary Research Communication. 13: 205-212. Cited in BRS.
Additional Sources of Information used in the Preparation of the Report of the Chief Veterinary Officer
Information examined that may not have been specifically cited in preparing this recommendation
| 1. | The import impact assessment plus 18 volumes of appendices. |
| 2. | All of the public submissions. |
| 3. | Analysis of submissions on the importation impact assessment for the RCD virus. A report by Talyor Baines & Associates, prepared for the Chief Veterinary Officer, MAF. December, 1996. |
| 4. | All of the comments from the following reviewers who had specified expertise: |
| Department of Conservation (conservation of native flora and fauna); | |
| Ministry for the Environment (wider environmental concerns); | |
| Te Puni Kokiri (Treaty of Waitangi and Maori issues); | |
| Ministry of Health (human health); | |
| Ministry of Agriculture (science and wider agriculture, virology and pest management strategies). | |
| The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute of Aberdeen (Glenn Iason) (ecology); | |
| Ecosystems Consultants of Dunedin (Henrik Moller) (ecology); | |
| Mo Salman of the University of Colorado (veterinary pathology and epidemiology); | |
| Robert E Shope of the University of Galveston, Texas, USA, (virology and human health); | |
| Donald Burke of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Maryland, USA, (virology and human health); | |
| Lektos Consulting Limited (retaining Professor B W Manktelow), of Palmerston North, (veterinary pathology); | |
| Brian Boag of the Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee, UK, (ecology); | |
| Massey University (Robin Fordham) of Palmerston North, (ecology). | |
| 5. | Comments made by 105 submitters on the reviewer’s reports. | |
| 6. | The Chief Veterinary Officer also met or spoke over the telephone with the following submitters during the period 6 to 23 May 1997: | |
| submission 531, | Graeme Milne, rabbit harvesting and resource recovery; | |
| submission 153, | Biotechnology Association of New Zealand, to discuss the potential impact of the introduction of RCD on New Zealand’s disease free status and biological exports. Max Kennedy, Vice-President, attended; | |
| submission 796, | Te Puni Kokiri, the views and interests of Maori; | |
| submission 176, | Ministry of Health, concerns about human health issues; | |
| submission 376, | Alvin Smith; host specificity of the family Caliciviridae; | |
| submission 673, | Douglas Gregg, of Plum Island Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, USA, the parvovirus connection. | |
| submission 673, | Yvonne van Roy; | |
| submission 722, | Walter C Clark; | |
| submission 1000, | Neil Cherry; | |
| submission 362, | Elayne Ravji accompanied by Paul Tucker of the Directors of Friends of the Earth, submission 755, and Graeme Milne, submission 531; | |
| submission 674, | Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Sue Maturin attended. | |
Applications to import European rabbit flea and the myxoma virus. 24 March, 1993. Report to the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Australia New Zealand rabbit calicivirus program. Undated. Guidelines for national release of rabbit calicivirus in States and Territories.
Bertagnoli, G. J., Le gall, G., Boilletot, E., Vautherot, J. F., Rasschaert, D., laurent, S., Petit, F., Boucraut-Baralon, C. and Milon, A. 1996. Protection against myxomatosis and rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease with recombinant myxoma viruses expressing rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus capsid protein. Journal Virology, 70 (8): 5061-5066.
Capucci, L., Fusi, P., Lavazza, A., Pacciarini, M. L., and Rossi, C. 1996. Detection and preliminary characterization of a new rabbit calicivirus related to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus but nonpathogenic. Journal of Virology, 70: 8614-8623.
Capucci, L., Chasey, D., Lavazza, A. and Westcott, D. 1996. Preliminary characterization of a non-haemagglutinating strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus from the United Kingdom. Zentralbl Veterinarmed [B] 43 (40): 245-250.
Capucci, L., Nardin, A. and Lavazza, A. Seroconversion in an industrial unit of rabbits infected with a non-pathogenic rabbit haemorrhagic disease-like virus. Draft paper.
Caul, O. E. 1996. Viral gastroenteritis: small round structured viruses, caliciviruses and astroviruses. Part I. The clinical and diagnostic perspective. Journal Clinical Pathology, 49: 874-880.
Claas, E. C., Kawaoka, Y., de Jong, J. C., Masurel, N. and Webster, R. G. 1994. Infection of children with avian-human reassorted influenza virus from pigs in Europe. Virology, 204: 453-457.
Cooke, B. D. October, 1996. Analysis of the spread of rabbit calicivirus from Wardang Island through mainland Australia. A report for the Meat Research Corporation, October, 1996, as part of Project CS.236: Field evaluation of RCD under quarantine.
Cox, N. J., Black, R. A. and Kendal, A. P. Pathways of evolution of influenza A (H1N1) viruses from 1977 to 1986 as determined by oligonucleotide mapping and sequencing studies. Journal of General Virology, 70: 299-313.
CSIRO Divisions of Animal Health and Wildlife & Ecology, 1996. A report concerning Project CS.236. Field evaluation of RCD under quarantine to Australia and New Zealand rabbit calicivirus disease program.
Department of Conservation. Second edition, October, 1994. Setting priorities for the conservation of New Zealand’s threatened plants and animals.
Dinulos, M. B. and Matson, D. O. 1994. Recent developments with human caliciviruses. Pediatr Infect Dis J, 13 (11): 998-1003.
Eigen, M. 1993. Viral quasi-species. Scientific American, July, 42-49.
Evermann, J. F., McKeirnan, A. J., Smith, A. W., Skilling, D. E. and Ott, R. L. 1985. Isolation and identification of caliciviruses from dogs with enteric infections. American Journal Veterinary Research, 46 (1): 218-220.
Fisher, L., Le Gros, F. X., Mason, P. W. and Paoletti, E. 1997. A recombinant canarypox virus protects rabbits against a lethal rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) challenge. Vaccine, 15 (1): 90-96.
Gobbett, D. 1995. Modelling rabbit calicivirus disease. Honours Zoology - major project. Department of Zoology. The University of Adelaide.
Gould, A. R., Kattenbelt, J. A., Lenghaus, C., Morrissy, C., Chamberlain, T., Collins, B. J. and Westbury, H. A. 1997. The complete nucleotide sequence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (Czech strain V351): use of the polymerase chain reaction to detect replication in Australian vertebrates and analysis of viral population sequence variation. Virus Research, 47 (1): 7-17.
Granzow, H., Weiland, F., Strebelow, H. G., Liu, C. M. and Schirrmeirer, H. 1996. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV): ultrastructure and biochemical studies of typical and core-like particles present in liver homogenates. Virus Res. 41 (2): 163-172.
Guittre, C., Ruvoen-Clouet, N., Barraud, L., Cherel, Y., Baginski, I., Prave, M., Ganiere, J. P., Trepo, C. and Cova, L. 1996. Early stages of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus infection monitored by polymerase chain reaction. Zentralbl Veterinarmed [B] 43 (20): 109-118.
Guo, Y. 1992. Human influenza A (H1N1) viruses isolated from China. Journal of General Virology, 73: 383- 388.
International Animal Health Code. Sixth Edition, 1992. Office International des Epizooties, 1992.
Jia, W., Karaca, K., Parrish, C. R. and Naqi, S. A. 1995. A novel variant of avian infectious bronchitis virus resulting from recombination among three different strains. Arch Virol, 140: 259- 281.
Keck, J. G. 1988. In vivo RNA-RNA recombination of coronavirus in mouse brain. Journal of Virology, 62: 1810 -1813.
Lambden, P. R. and Clarke, I. N. 1993. Genome organization in the Caliciviridae. Trends in Microbiology, 3 (7): 261-265.
Martyn, J. C., Barrie, E. D. and Studdert, M. J. 1990. Nucleotide sequence of feline panleukopenia virus: comparison with canine parvovirus identifies host-specific differences. Journal of General Virology, 71: 2747-2753.
Milton, I. D., Vlasak, R., Nowotny, N., Rodak, L. and Carter, M. J. 1992. Genomic 3' terminal sequence comparison of three isolates or rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 93: 37-42.
Mitro, S. and Krauss, H. 1993. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: a review with special reference to its epizootiology. European Journal of Epidemiology, 9 (1): 70-78.
Newsome, A., Pech, R., Smyth, R., Banks, P., Dickman, C. 1996 Draft Potential impacts on Australian native fauna of rabbit calicivirus disease. A report for the Australian Nature Conservation Agency.
Norbury, G. 1996. Australia & New Zealand rabbit calicivirus disease program monitoring and surveillance. Report from workshop held in Melbourne, 10 & 11 October, 1996.
Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Wellington. Investigation of the proposal to introduce myxomatosis for rabbit control. Volume one. September, 1987.
Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Wellington. March, 1991. Sustainable land use for the dry tussock grasslands in the South Island.
Plana-Duran, J., Bastons, M., Rodriguez, M. J., Climent, I., Cortes, E., Vela, C. and Casal, I. 1996. Oral immunization of rabbits with VP60 particles confers protection against rabbit haemorrhagic disease. Arch. Virol. 141 (8): 1423-1436.
Rabbit calicivirus and human health. Draft report of the rabbit calicivirus human health study group.
Review of non-RCDV members of the Caliciviridae. April, 1997. Lektos Consulting Limited. Report prepared for the Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture.
Rodak, L., Granatova, L., Valicek, B., Smid, B., Vesely, T. and Nevorankova, Z. 1990. Monoclonal antibodies to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus and their use in the diagnosis of infection. Journal of General Virology, 71: 2593-2598.
Ross, W. D. 1996. Rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) in Australia: summary report of a visit to Australia, 26 November to 12 December 1995. Landcare Research Contract Report: LC9596/67.
Smith, A. W. 22 May, 1997. An open letter: Addressing the proposed approval and official release of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RCD) as a biological control agent. Letter to National Registration Authority (For Agriculture and Veterinary Chemicals) Australia.
Studdert, M. J. 1994. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus: a calicivirus with differences. Australian Veterinary Journal, 71 (8): 264-266.
Studdert, M. J. 1994. Reply in Correspondence. Australian Veterinary Journal, 71 (11): 387-388.
Truyen, U., Evermann, J. F., Vierler, E. and Parrish, C. R. 1996. Evolution of canine parvovirus involved loss and gain of feline host range. Virology, 215: 186-189.
Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H. May, 1996. Criteria used for the selection of species for testing for susceptibility to the rabbit calicivirus. Prepared for rabbit calicivirus applicant group in New Zealand.
Webster, R. G., Yoshihiro, K. and Bean, W. 1986. Molecular changes in A/chicken/Pennsylvania/83(H5N2) influenza virus associated with acquisition of virulence. Virology, 149: 165-173.
Wirblich, C., Thiel, H-J. and Meyers, G. 1996. Genetic map of the calicivirus rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus as deduced from in vitro translational studies. Journal of Virology, 70 (11): 7974-7983.
Williams, K., Parer, I., Coman, B., Burkley, J. and Braysher, M. 1995. Managing vertebrate pests: rabbits. Bureau of Resource Sciences and CSIRO Division of Wildlife Ecology. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Contact for Enquiries
Manager, Strategic Science Team
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0115
Fax: +64 4 894 0731
Contact this person
